Panhandle shrimpers unhappy with state's assistance offer

FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA - Shrimpers from a 70-mile stretch of the Florida Panhandle met with state workers Thursday, hoping to be told of ways to save their industry. Instead, they were told of ways to save themselves. <br> <br> A workshop in Fort Walton Beach hosted by the Governors Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, drew about a dozen shrimpers from around the Panhandle, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News. The shrimpers were told about job placement services, energy assistance and Medicaid. <br> <br> It wasn&#39;t the assistance they wanted. <br> <br> ``The guys you see here, we&#39;re in our 50s,&#39;&#39; said Eddie Goodwin, who operates the 50-foot shrimper Mary McKay out of Freeport in Walton County. ``We&#39;re too old to become brain surgeons.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The workshop was part of a series of meetings held across Florida this week to offer assistance to struggling and out-of-work shrimpers. Several state agencies tasked with retraining workers were present. <br> <br> The representatives might have been helpful, but shrimpers would rather the government create a plan to save Florida&#39;s dying shrimp-fishing industry which has seen prices drop to roughly $1.50 per pound, figures that are making it difficult for shrimpers to break even, let alone make money. <br> <br> Goodwin said he wanted the state to restrict or tax imported and reduce federal regulations that make American shrimping less profitable. <br> <br> ``The governor realizes that these services won&#39;t make the (imported) shrimp go away, but we do have some services that may be useful to you, your family or friends,&#39;&#39; said Mary Helen Blakeslee, chief analyst with the state&#39;s economic development office. <br> <br> Kenneth Farguson II, who operates the 38-foot shrimp boat Norman Lee out of Pensacola, said the somber tone of the workshop helped little, if at all, with the trouble ahead. <br> <br> ``We came here for help, and everybody here is telling us shrimping is over and here are your options,&#39;&#39; Farguson said. <br> <br> ``What are they going to do, retrain our danged boats? We&#39;ve got boats that we can&#39;t even sell. Who wants an old shrimp boat?&#39;&#39;